Originally Posted by flyerstalk

Hello,

Sorry if this is a question that is easy for many to decipher - I find these things quite difficult to get a handle on. Thanks for any help interpreting this.

So up til now I have been taking out the daily CDW - this was reasonable when I was in the USA (somehow as a UK resident it was tacked on for very little extra) but now in Canada it is extortionate and exceeds the actual rental cost by some margin (30 CAD per day for Enterprise).
I am currently renting with Enterprise (status match to Platinum) and originally achieved President's Circle status with Hertz in the USA, but am actually open to renting with anyone.

I have two potential ways of avoiding this daily fee:
1. My travel insurance includes CDW;
2. I am also thinking of getting a Platinum Amex.

In reality, say I

1. Wrote off a $26,000 car and it was my fault -
2. The other party sues me for 3 million dollars in personal injury claims

The car rental company presumably

1. Sends me a bill for $26,000
- would I present this to Amex and would they deal with it in its entirety, or would I foot this bill and then reclaim from Amex?
- do they ever deny the claim - what would be grounds for this? (And, does it matter whether or not one was at fault?) (And - what if one, for example, ran a red light or was doing something criminally negligent such as texting, and caused a crash? Or speeding?)
- is there a limit on the length of rental?

and then presumably if

2. The third party sues me directly
- would Amex again step in and deal directly with their lawyers in this case?

The other option, using the CDW I paid for when I bought my travel insurance, states the following:

SECTION P. COLLISION DAMAGE WAIVER EXCESS

If you have paid the appropriate additional premium to include and if shown on your Validation Certificate (please refer to your Validation Certificate and Summary of Cover) you are covered for:
Covered
We will pay up to the amount shown on the Summary of Cover for:

1. the reimbursement of the accidental damage or theft excess applied to your car hire insurance if the insured vehicle is stolen, damaged or involved in an accident during the rental period;
2. the cost of replacing rental car keys if these are lost, stolen or damaged during the rental period, this includes where necessary the costs to replace locks or for a locksmith to break in to the insured vehicle.

Not Covered

1. Any claim where you have not followed the terms of your rental agreement.
2. Any person aged under 21 years old.
3. Any claim for damage caused as a result of theft of the vehicle unless a written police report is obtained.

COLLISION DAMAGE WAIVER EXCESS CLAIMS
Contact the Claims Service for a claim form by email on __________ or by phone on ________. They will advise you of any additional supporting documentation required (this will be dependent upon the circumstances and nature of the incident giving rise to a claim). Invoices, original receipts and other documents confirming the amount you have paid in respect of the accident/damage or loss for which the vehicle rental company holds you responsible should be retained along with a copy of the rental contract and law enforcement / police report (if applicable) submitted to support your claim. A copy of the driving licence of the person involved in any accident (the driver) will also be required.

Collision Damage Waiver Excess (Up to a maximum of 31 days for any one rental period)

Accident Damage Excess £1,500 Reimbursement
Rental Car Key Cover £500